New Delhi, April 25: Two prominent leaders from West Bengal are set to take on significant roles at NITI Aayog. Ashok Lahiri is expected to be appointed as the Vice Chairman, while Gobardhan Das will be made a member. However, official confirmation is still pending.
Ashok Lahiri is a well-known economist with extensive experience in economic policies. He is currently a member of the West Bengal Assembly representing Balurghat and has studied economics at Presidency University in Kolkata. He has also been involved in research at the Delhi School of Economics, Asian Development Bank, Bandhan Bank, and the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy.
Lahiri will not contest in the upcoming elections, yet he has been entrusted with this significant position during the electoral period. He has previously served as the 12th Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to the Government of India.
On the other hand, Gobardhan Das is recognized for his considerable experience in administrative and policy matters. He has contested elections in the past but faced defeat. Das has also served at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and was the director of IISER Bhopal.
An official notification regarding these appointments is awaited, but discussions have intensified in political circles. These appointments are seen as crucial amid the West Bengal Assembly elections, marking a significant initiative by the central government to place two esteemed individuals from the state in NITI Aayog.
Ashok Lahiri will replace Dr. Suman Berry, who took over after renowned economist Rajiv Kumar resigned from the position of Vice Chairman. Before assuming this role, Berry was associated with an economic think tank in Brussels, Belgium, and has served as the Chief Economist at the World Bank. He was also the Director General of the National Council of Applied Economic Research from 2001 to 2011.